Liverpool’s Champions League winner who almost lost his leg making his DJ debut on final night

Almost two decades ago, he was helping Liverpool win the Champions League on a truly unforgettable night in Istanbul.

This time, as Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund in this year’s tournament final at Wembley, a former Reds cult hero will embark on a new milestone just a few miles away. That’s because former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse will be making his UK DJ debut on the night of the big game.

Cisse has become a full-time DJ since retiring from football in 2017. He stated at the time that he would be devoting himself to his new music track, which has seen him take the Afro-house scene by storm.

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“I loved being a footballer,” he said at the time. “Until now, football has been my whole life.

“I would have liked to have continued my career, which was cut short in spite of myself, but I have to admit today that football is over.

“I will devote myself wholeheartedly to my career as a DJ, producer and consultant, as well as to the development of my clothing brand. Thank you for all your support. The adventure continues, another life begins. A lion never dies.”

Cisse appeared all over the world, but never in the UK, where he enjoyed a long career. He won the Champions League and FA Cup in his two seasons at Liverpool and also had spells with Sunderland and QPR later in his career.

Now he has chosen the final weekend of the Champions League to return to his new career. Known as ‘Tcheba’, the event which takes place at the E1 depot in Wapping is being promoted by the RA, with the description:

“On the night of the 2024 Champions League final (Saturday 1 June) we welcome former professional footballer Djibril Cisse aka Tcheba to the Warehouse for an unmissable performance.

“The former professional has seen Champions League trophies, Golden Boots and many other awards with the French national team, Liverpool and many other international clubs.

“In 2017 he retired from the world of football and took up DJing as ‘Tcheba’ full time. Through his lifelong influences that have helped shape his musical repertoire, he has now built a distinctive style, bringing his assortment of Amapiano, Afrohouse, rap and jump up to any occasion.”

Cisse saw his Liverpool career derailed by a freak injury that nearly cost him his leg. He caught his cleats in the turf while challenging for the ball in a game against Blackburn Rovers and suffered a fractured tibia and fibula.

He was expected to miss the rest of the season, but made a surprise return just six months later and ended the season by scoring a penalty in the famous penalty shoot-out win in Istanbul in the Champions League final.

Cisse later revealed that he would have lost his leg had it not been for the quick medical attention he received at Ewood Park. He told talkSPORT in 2020: “I had a fracture and the bone broke and came over the other. My blood circulation wasn’t working and it was reaching my leg.

“The doctor said, ‘I’m going to have to reduce the fracture.’ I didn’t know what he was talking about, so I just said, “Do what you have to do.” He counted to three. and I pulled my leg Everything went well and I think after a few months I said, “Why did you do that?”.

“He said, ‘Your circulation to your leg has been irrigated.’ I don’t know if that’s the right word. He said after 30 minutes to an hour it should be amputated, so thanks to the doctor.”

After being given a second chance to continue his football career, he scored 24 goals in 79 games for Liverpool and almost 100 goals in the French first division, before turning his attention to life as a DJ.